This star means that the title or site is recommended especially for younger teens

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This site is very much designed for teens and for those who serve teens, from parents to teachers to librarians -- namely, you guys!

Two of the great stigmas of comics and graphic novels is that they are either childish (and therefore why would any self-respecting teen or adult want to read them) or, at the other end of the spectrum, that they are explicit and vulgar and so inappropriate for teens or children.

As with any other format, from books to films, there are examples of graphic novels and comics that are childish as well as examples of the same that are explicit in terms of sexuality or violence. As I say on my FAQ page, I do not review graphic novels or comics that are pornographic or explicit. As this site is aimed at teens, I've also tried to stay away from the juvenile comics.

However, I do review graphic novels that are more mature -- they contain issues and images that may not be appropriate for younger teens. As you can see from my lists, I have tried to indicate titles or sites which are appropriate for younger teens with this star: . Rather than trumpet warnings and "you can't possibly read this!" messages, I have decided to switch to the more positive, "there are books especially good for you" sentiment.

However, always remember, you know your audience best, whether it's for your school or for your daughter. What I think may be appropriate may be far from what you think is appropriate, and that's as it should be. Please, if you are worried about a particular title, make sure to look through it yourself.

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